Nielsen June PPM Notes: Country And Top 40 Lead, News-Talk In Seasonal Down Cycle

August 12, 2014 at 3:59 AM (PT)

NIELSEN's notes on the JULY PPMs shows Country holding steady after hitting new all-time highs for share in JUNE, hitting 8.6% for persons 6+ (tied for the top with Top 40) and 8.4% in Adults 25-54 while falling to 10.2% in 18-34.

Top 40's 6+ number is its best since JULY 2012. Hot AC, continuing to grow at 6.4% for 6+, 7.2% for 18-34, and 6.9% in 25-54, and Classic Rock, with 5% in 6+ and 4.1% for 18-34, also set new highs, but Alternative beat Classic Rock in 18-34 with a 5.2%, its best since JULY 2013.

Urban AC's 25-54 5% share was its first to hit the 5% mark since MAY 2013, before which it was steady above that level for almost two years.

The ratings service also noted that News-Talk continued its annual seasonal down cycle due to "the changes in lifestyles, work habits and consumer trends that occur each summer, coupled with news and sports cycles," with 6+ down to its lowest share since tracking began in 2011, 8.1%.

All News was flat at 2.5% and Sports was up slightly year-to-year to 4.1%.